Cops to put brakes on 'bike robbers'

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The Jamaica Constabulary Force is seeking to stop the growing use of motorcycles being used to commit robberies.

"There are a number of strategies that have been employed by different commanding officers especially in the downtown and Half-Way Tree areas, targeting these individuals," said Assistant Commissioner of Police Kevin Blake.

He said that one of the main strategies is to target unregistered and unlicensed bikes because these are sometimes used to carry out the acts.

He implores motorcyclists to register their bikes and do the right thing because it helps them to make sure things are in order.

"There are many persons out there who buy these motorcycles and they are not used in the pursuit of anything illicit. However, at the same time, they still operate them illegally and that provides a level of chaos that the criminals strive under," he said.

Blake said that the police have made attempts to educate the public about the use of bikes in thefts in order for them to protect themselves.

"We have had complaints and information reaching us about the practice of these individuals (bike thieves). It was one of our area of focus for the festive season that have past," he said. "Part of the strategy that we employed then was to educate the public as much as possible regarding this particular process and for them to be vigilant when they are out there."

Blake told THE STAR that the police's strategies to curtail the rate of thefts have been yielding good results and the police will be continuing them throughout 2018.

He is optimistic that the strategies will be even more effective now that commercial activities associated with the Christmas season have slowed down.

"I'm optimistic because at a time when things were busy and there were high commercial activities taking place, we were able to curtail the practice, and so with these strategies they will be even more effective now that we don't have so much activities," he said.